ABSTRACT
This chapter shows the problematic nature of the concept native speaker, provides arguments challenging this established division and it discuss how such dichotomy has, until now, been responsible for the persistent disempowerment of NNSs within the profession. Whilst Davies discussion examines nativeness in terms of language users capabilities, other authors have examined the ideological underpinnings of the concept. These new global communities of practice are establishing a new use of English as a Lingua Franca, as we have seen, that is not necessarily connected to any group of native speakers. Current developments in multilingual education clearly support the idea that we need to move away from traditional native (monolingual) approaches to ELT. The chapter examines changing perspectives around the traditional distinction between native and non-native speakers and the values that were attached to each type of speaker.
